PRODUCTION AND HARVEST INFLUENCES ON WOODY PLANT SEED GERMINATION

Production and harvest influences on woody plant seed germination were reviewed.
Special emphasis was given to Loblolly pine (Pinus taeda) cone and seed production as affected by irrigation, nitrogen fertilization and subsoiling.
Irrigation and nitrogen treatment combinations had little effect on cone and seed analysis parameters.
Subsoiling was found to increase total seed production by increasing the number of cones/tree and the number of seed/cone.
Seed collected from trees given three parallel subsoil cuts had lower germination values than unsubsoiled control trees while seed collected from trees given one subsoiling cut had higher germination values.
However, genetic effects (clonal differences) were found to have the greatest influence on seed production and germination.

"The production of high quality seed is of prime importance to propagators whether they collect or produce the seed themselves or obtain it from others.
In the production of any crop, the cost of the seed is usually minor compared to other production costs.
Yet no single factor is as important in determining the success of the operation." Hartman and Kester, Plant Propagation, 4th edition, p. 106.

Germination of Ornamental Plant Seeds, XXII IHC

D.K. Struve, J.B. Jett, D.L. Bramlett

https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.1987.202.2